Xu Qinglian thought Hu Xiaotian was angry but dared not speak out. He said earnestly, "Xiaotian, I can only give you one month. If you cannot raise the funds for the bridge repairs within that month, I'm afraid even I..."
Hu Xiaotian interrupted him. "Lord Xu, you are you, and I am me. I'll take responsibility for my own affairs. There's no need for you to shelter me from the wind and rain. If the higher-ups really do demand answers, you wouldn't have the power to protect me anyway."
"Uh... well..." Xu Qinglian's aging face flushed scarlet at the rebuff.
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Since I've accepted the task of repairing Azure Cloud Bridge, I'll certainly do a good job."
"Words alone prove nothing!" Xu Qinglian pressed closer, step by step, trying to push Hu Xiaotian into the trap he had laid.
But Hu Xiaotian simply refused to take the bait. You bastard, want me to sign a military pledge for you? Not a chance. Besides, you're not worthy of one. He said, "My lord, as the officials charged with caring for Azure Cloud's people, we ought to ease their worries and difficulties, not pile burdens onto their backs. Wouldn't you agree?"
Xu Qinglian nodded. "That is my thinking as well."
Hu Xiaotian regarded him with a cold smile. Like hell it is! Aren't you the one they call 'the upright magistrate who scrapes the sky three feet higher'? You fleece the plaintiff, then fleece the defendant. Who in Azure Cloud County doesn't groan with resentment at the mention of you? And now you're playing the good man in front of me. He said, "Do not impose on others what you would not want for yourself. If we want the people to donate willingly, we should set an example. Only by